| If you decide to have your HVAC system | | | | · DO NOT hire air duct cleaners who make |
| cleaned, it is important that the air duct | | | | claims on the adverse effects of "not" |
| cleaning services you are inquiring is | | | | cleaning your HVAC system, and who is |
| qualified to do so, so you can enjoy a safe | | | | consistent in recommending that cleaning your |
| indoor air. | | | | system should be a routine. |
| | | | |
| Indoor air pollution is an issue of growing | | | | · DO NOT allow treatments-especially |
| concern in the United States. Many companies, | | | | chemical biocides-unless you are briefed by |
| marketing products and HVAC duct cleaning | | | | the cleaning service. |
| services intend to improve this need. Its | | | | |
| growing campaign can be seen in mass media | | | | · CHECK REFERENCES if previous customers |
| (newspapers, magazines, TV, radio) and the | | | | were satisfied with the service and did not |
| Internet to disseminate information on the | | | | experience any problems with their HVAC |
| importance of cleaning air ducts or HVACs. | | | | systems after cleaning. |
| | | | |
| Cleaning products can be used to clean air | | | | · Contact your local office of consumer |
| ducts - at a very minimum cost. But you | | | | affairs or Better Business Bureau to |
| should consider hiring air duct cleaning | | | | determine if complaints have been raised |
| services if there are substantial and visible | | | | against the companies you are considering |
| growth of mold inside the ducts or other | | | | hiring. |
| components of your heating and cooling | | | | |
| system; if there are infestations of rodents | | | | · Interview potential service providers to |
| or insects; and if the ducts are clogged with | | | | ensure that they are experienced with |
| excessive amounts of dust debris or | | | | different types of HVAC systems; that they |
| particles. | | | | use procedures to protect you, your pets, |
| | | | your family and your home from contamination; |
| Duct cleaning refers to the "cleaning" of | | | | and if they comply with NADCA air duct |
| various heating and cooling air system inside | | | | cleaning standards or NAIMA recommendations |
| your house: air conditioning, grilles and | | | | (if your ducts are constructed or insulated |
| diffusers, heat exchangers, heating and | | | | internally of fiber glass). |
| cooling coils - and cleaning it, intensively, | | | | |
| will range (not mostly) up to $1,000. But | | | | · Ask the cleaning service company if they |
| this amount depends on the service offered, | | | | have state licenses. |
| system accessibility, the size of the system | | | | |
| to be cleaned, level of contamination, and | | | | · If the cleaning company charges by the |
| depending on the type of air duct cleaning | | | | hour, request an estimate of the number of |
| service you are hiring. | | | | hours or days the job will take including |
| | | | potential interruptions during work. Be |
| Choosing Your Home Air Duct Cleaning Provider | | | | certain that the cleaning company you are |
| Checklist | | | | inquiring will provide a written agreement |
| | | | outlining the total of the work before it |
| Talk to, at least, three cleaning service | | | | begins. |
| companies and secure written estimates. When | | | | |
| they come to your home, show them your system | | | | Duct cleaning is good for your home and air |
| and ask justification of your air duct | | | | duct cleaning companies is a good source of |
| contamination. | | | | advice so ask questions and insist on |
| | | | complete and knowledgeable answers. |